Scheduling, Reservations, Fees and Refunds

To schedule your event, please contact the Trail End State Historic Site at 307-674-4589. To avoid confusion, we never book two events for the same day, so it is best to make your decision early. Saturdays are very popular and are often reserved over a year in advance.

When you call, we will pencil in the date and send you an Event Reservation Form and a copy of the Event Planning Guidelines. After reading the guidelines, fill out the form in its entirety and send it to us with the requested dates and reservation fee. After we receive the completed form and the reservation fee, we will consider the date confirmed. If we do not receive confirmation within two weeks, we will open the date up to other requests.

There is a $50 reservation fee for all events held on the grounds, regardless of size, set-up, grounds location or time of year. Reservation fee monies go to the Trail End Guilds, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Trail End State Historic Site. Until your reservation fee and completed form are received, your reservation is not confirmed.

The full reservation fee is refundable if your event is canceled ten days or more prior to the scheduled date. No refunds will be made for cancellations made within ten days of the event, including those made because of inclement weather.

In compliance with the Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites Fee Program, everyone aged eighteen or older will be charged a daily use fee in order to enter the Kendrick Mansion. The current fee is $1.00 for Wyoming residents, $2.00 for non-residents. Children under 18 will be admitted at no cost, but they must be accompanied by a paying adult. It is up to you to let event attendees know about these fees.

Hours and Event Locations

Hours

Trail End's grounds are available for use between sunrise and nightfall. All summertime grounds events must conclude by 9:00 p.m. or one-half-hour before nightfall, whichever comes first.

You must choose a location for your event at the time you make your reservation. We strongly recommend that you make a visit to the site before your event in order to determine seating arrangements, examine walk-ways, etc. If you cannot visit the site in person, look at the locations highlighted on our Virtual Tour (look for the wedding bell icons). For most events, we recommend either the southeast corner of the grounds near the winding paths or the southwest corner (near the orchard). Both areas offer spectacular views of the Bighorn Mountains while providing shade during the afternoon. The east, west and north driveways may not be used for events; they must remain clear of obstructions at all times.

Inclement Weather

Because there is always the chance of bad weather, you should make arrangements for either a tent or an alternate location for your event, as they cannot be moved into either the Kendrick Mansion or the Carriage House..

Set-Up, Restrooms, Catering and Parking

Tables, chairs, arches, tents, etc., may be set up no sooner than two hours before the event and dismantled no later than two hours after the event. You will be responsible for arranging site clean up, including litter, flowers, programs, rice bags, water bottles, etc. A vehicle may park in the east or west circular drive during set-up and clean-up only.

You must supply your own tables, chairs, arches, tents, podiums and other furnishings and equipment. Trail End does not have these items available for public use. Please check with site personnel in advance before deciding whether or not to set up a canopy, tent or archway. Our underground sprinkler system runs close to the surface and is easily damaged by stakes and poles. If you do not consult with site staff prior to your event, you will be held liable for any damages that may occur as a result.

Restrooms and drinking fountains are for use by museum patrons only. They are not available on the Trail End Grounds. If you are hosting a large event, we recommend renting portable facilities and placing them near the City land on Delphi Avenue. Portable outhouses may not be placed on any lawns, gardens, driveways or sidewalks located on the Trail End State Historic Site grounds.

If you are having your event catered, please have your caterer or event planner contact us as soon as possible. Because of our electricity and water restrictions, they may want to consider different options as far as menus and setups. All receptions must conclude by 9:00 p.m. or one-half-hour before nightfall (including clean-up). whichever comes first.

We request that all event participants park on either Delphi, Victoria, Clarendon or Pioneer. Please do not block driveways. Those guests requiring handicapped access may park in the two available spaces in the west circular drive (vehicles must bear handicapped plates or signs). Although one vehicle may be parked near the edge of the east drive (on the pavement) for use by a departing wedding couple, no other parking is allowed on the site grounds.

Restrictions, Limitations & Damages

Use of alcohol and firearms (loaded or unloaded) is not permitted on any portion of the Trail End grounds without written permission of the Site Superintendent. Because insurance and other documentation are required by the State’s Risk Management Office, requests for alcohol and firearm waivers must be submitted in writing at least three months prior to the event. There is no guarantee that a waiver will be granted.

Smoking is not permitted in any state structure. Smoking is also not allowed on the Trail End porches. Please extinguish all smoking materials thoroughly and dispose of in the non-flammable trash receptacles located on Trail End's east and west porches, and in the Carriage House Courtyard. Please provide ashtrays for any areas on the grounds in which smoking will take place.

Electricity

Without exception, Trail End cannot provide electricity for lights, sound systems, musical instruments, catering equipment, etc. There are no exterior outlets available and we cannot run extension cords from inside any of the site’s structures. THIS IS NON-NEGOTIABLE.

Open flames such as tiki torches, oil lanterns and candles are not allowed on the Trail End grounds. The only exception, which must be pre-approved, is the temporary lighting of a “unity candle,” used as part of a wedding ceremony.

Music & Sound

Trail End is located in a residential neighborhood. Any music played or performed as part of your event must be kept at a reasonable sound level and must cease by 9:00 p.m. Trail End does not have electrical outlets available for use by sound equipment. If you wish for amplification, you must supply a battery-operated system.

Damages

You will be held financially responsible for any damages caused by disregarding the guidelines detailed in this memo. These include (but are not limited to) damages to flowers, trees, sidewalks, historic features and underground sprinkler systems. You are also required to abide by all State Parks & Historic Sites Rules and Regulations. These regulations are available online or at the site and may be reviewed upon request.

Wedding Rehearsals, Photographs and Carriages

Rehearsals

Rehearsals must be scheduled. There is no extra fee for the rehearsal, but it must be scheduled in order to avoid conflict with other events. Please let us know approximately how many people will be involved.

Photographs

Please call us to schedule your photo session. There is no charge for wedding photos, but we need to know in order to avoid conflict with other events. Photographs inside Trail End can only be taken without flash, and only in the open "public" areas (ballroom, foyer, stairwells) during regular business hours.

Dressing Rooms

All members of the wedding party must come dressed and ready to go. Rooms in the Kendrick Mansion and/or Carriage House Theatre are not available for use as dressing rooms under any circumstances. THIS IS NON-NEGOTIABLE.

Rice & Confetti

We would prefer that guests throw birdseed or rose petals instead of rice. Rice will be allowed, however, as long as decorative bags are picked up afterwards (this applies to the bags holding birdseed as well). Paper or plastic confetti is not allowed.

Carriages

If you plan to have a horse-drawn carriage pick you up, it may wait for you in the east circular drive. But please note: any "droppings" must be thoroughly cleaned up by someone (other than us) within the two-hour clean-up period.

Champagne

Champagne toasts are not allowed due to the "No Alcohol" restrictions outlined above.

Tourists and Birds

Tourists

Birds